Sodium (Na⁺)

What sample for Sodium (Na⁺) is needed?

1. This test is done on the serum of the patient.
   1. A random sample can be taken.
2. Heparinized plasma and whole blood without sodium heparin may be used.
3. Twenty-four hours of urine samples may be collected without the addition of preservatives.
   1. Can store the serum or urine at 2° C to 4 °C.
4. Other samples can be:
   1. Feces.
   2. Sweat.
   3. Gastrointestinal fluids.

What precautions will you take for the estimation of Sodium (Na⁺)?

1. Avoid hemolysis (Although it does not cause much difference in serum or plasma sodium values).
2. Lipemic serum needs to be ultracentrifuged unless the direct-selective electrodes measure Sodium.

What are the Indications for Sodium (Na⁺)?

1. This is the routine workup of the patient.
2. This is done to evaluate electrolytes and acid-base balance.
3. To evaluate water intoxication, water balance, and dehydration.
4. It is estimated to diagnose and treatment of dehydration and overhydration.

How will you describe the Pathophysiology of Sodium (Na⁺)?

1. Sodium is the major cation of the extracellular fluid. It has a major influence on plasma osmolality.
   1. It is adjusted by the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and thirst receptors to maintain plasma volume and osmolality.
   2. Aldosterone causes tubular reabsorption of Sodium.
   3. Changes in the serum sodium reflect changes in water balance rather than sodium balance.
2. Sodium has an important action from a quantitative standpoint because of its influence on electric neutrality.
3. What are the sources of  Sodium (Na+)?
4. The average adult body contains 80 grams of Sodium.
   1. 35 grams is present in the extracellular fluid.
   2. The average person takes 3 grams of Sodium daily in salt forms like chloride, sulfate, or other salts.
      1. Also, excrete the same amount of 3 grams per day.
      2. Dietary need of Sodium = 90 to 250 meq//day.
   3. The normal daily diet contains 8 to 15 grams of NaCl, completely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sodium (Na+): Sodium and Potassium distribution

5. Sodium is the most common cation of the blood by almost 90%.

What is the role of kidneys in Sodium (Na⁺) absorption?

1. 100% of Sodium is filtered through the glomerulus.
2. 70% to 80% is reabsorbed in proximal tubules (water and chloride).
3. 20% to 25% is reabsorbed in the loop of Henle (with water and chloride).
4. Kidneys are the body’s main regulator of sodium, which excretes the excess.

Sodium (Na+): Sodium absorption and the role of kidneys

What is the Distribution of the Sodium (Na⁺) in the body?

1. The sodium level is the reverse of Potassium.
2. Sodium 140 meq/L extracellular and 5 meq/L intracellular.
3. Because Sodium is actively pumped out of the cells, the concentration of the Na⁺ is a reflection of the Intracellular volume.

Sodium (Na+): Sodium distribution in intracellular and extracellular space

What are the Functions of the Sodium (Na⁺)?

1. Sodium is a major component of extracellular osmolality. It is almost half the osmolality of the plasma.
   1. So, Sodium’s main function is maintaining osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.
2. Sodium also helps to transmit nerve impulses.
   1. Sodium works with potassium and calcium to maintain neuromuscular irritability for the conduction of nerve impulses.
   2. Sodium helps in the acid-base balance through sodium bicarbonate and sodium phosphate.
   3. Sodium takes part in cellular chemical reactions and membrane transport.
3. The body can maintain Sodium very well except for a few pathological conditions.
4. Maintenance of sodium level depends upon the following:
   1. Renal blood flow.
   2. Carbonic anhydrase activity.
   3. Aldosterone.
   4. Other steroid hormones are controlled through:
      1. Anterior pituitary gland.
      2. Renin enzyme secretion.
      3. Antidiuretic hormone ( ADH ).
      4. Vasopressin secretion.
5. Sodium is a result of the balance between dietary intake and renal excretion.
6. Aldosterone acts by:
   1. Stimulating the Kidney to conserve Sodium.
   2. And Decrease renal loss of Sodium.
7. ADH controls:
   1. Reabsorption of water at distal tubules.
   2. .This will be affected by the concentration or dilution of Sodium.
8. Physiologically, Sodium and water are interlinked.
   1. Increased free body water = Sodium diluted, Na concentration decreases, Kidney conserves Sodium and excretes water.
   2. Decreased free water = Serum sodium will rise, and now the Kidney will conserve water. Na⁺ level became normal.

How will you describe the Active transport of Sodium (Na⁺)?

1. This is found in most cells, especially muscles and nerves.
2. The excitable tissue has a high Na⁺, K⁺, and ATPase concentration.
3. With the help of the ATPase enzyme in the cell membrane, three molecules of Na⁺ go out, while only two molecules of K⁺ go in.
4. So, the inside is negatively charged.

Sodium (Na+): Sodium and Potassium active transport

Sodium (Na+): Sodium transport is an active process

What are the Signs/Symptoms of Hyponatremia?

1. When the level is < 125 meq/L (<135 mmol/L).
   1. <120 meq/L is severe hyponatremia.
   2. The patient will feel weak.
2. When Level <115 meq/L.
   1. The patient will have confusion and lethargy.
   2. May progress to a stupor and coma.
3. There is a decreased glomerular filtrate rate, as seen in congestive heart failure.
   1. This is seen in the case of:
      1. Low salt intake.
      2. There is premenstrual retention of Sodium and water.
      3. Adrenocortical hyperfunction.
      4. Hyperaldosteronism.

What are the Signs/Symptoms of Hypernatremia?

1. >160 meq/L is the critical value for the patients.
   1. The patient will have dry mucous membranes.
   2. Thirst.
   3. Agitation and restlessness.
   4. Hyperreflexia.
   5. Mania and convulsion.
2. There is increased excretion of Sodium in the urine.
3. It is seen in the following:
   1. Hypoaldosteronism.
   2. Adrenal failure.
   3. Diuretic therapy.
   4. Salt-losing nephritis.
   5. Physiologically increased intake of salt.

What is the NORMAL level of Sodium (Na+)?

Source 1

• To convert into SI units x 1.0 = mmol/L

Source 2

• Adult Sodium = 136 to 145 meq /L
• Infants Sodium = 133 to 142 meq /L.
  • Premature infants = 132 to 140 meq/L.
• Urine  Sodium      = 40 to 220 meq/day with an average sodium intake of around 8 to 15 grams/day.
  • (varies with dietary intake).
• CSF Sodium = 136 to 150 meq/L.
• Feces Sodium = Mean value is <10 meq/day.

What are the Causes of Hypernatremia (Increased serum Sodium (Na+)?

1. Hypernatremia clinically may have a presentation of:
   1. Hypovolemic patients who have hypotension, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
   2. Euvolumic patients have normal blood pressure, normal pulse, skin turgor, and no edema.
   3. Hypervolemic patients show edema.
2. Dehydration.
3. Insufficient water intake.
4. Hormones causes are:
   1. Primary aldosteronism (Adrenal insufficiency).
   2. Adrenal hyperplasia.
   3. Cushing’s syndrome.
   4. Diabetes insipidus.
   5. Steroid therapy.
5. Coma.
6. Excessive Sodium in intravenous therapy.
7. Skin losses like excessive sweating and burns.
8. Vomiting.
9. Extensive thermal burns.
10. Loss from GI tract.
11. Use of diuretics.
12. Pulmonary losses like hyperventilation.

What are the causes of Hyponatremia (Decreased serum Sodium (Na+)?

1. Hyponatremia patients may have clinical presentations like;
   1. Hypovolemic patients will have hypotension, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
   2. Euvolumic patients will have normal blood pressure, normal pulse, skin turgor, and no edema.
   3. Hypervolumic patients will have edema.
2. Deficient dietary intake.
3. Decreased Sodium in the I/V therapy.
4. Diuretics.
5. Chronic renal insufficiency.
6. Aspiration of pleural or peritoneal fluids.
7. Excessive water intake.
8. Congestive heart failure.
9. Ascites.
10. Pleural effusion.
11. Ectopic secretion of ADH.
12. Pyloric obstruction.
13. Malabsorption syndrome.
14. Diabetic acidosis.
15. Hypothyroidism.
16. Nephrotic syndrome.
17. Absolute loss of Sodium from the body:
    1. Prolonged vomiting.
    2. Excessive sweating.
    3. Prolonged diarrhea.

How will you describe Hyponatremia (Sodium (Na+) when the patient is hypovolemic?

1. Renal losses due to:
   1. Diuretics
   2. medullary renal disease
   3. Addison’s disease
2. External losses  due to:
   1. Gastrointestinal losses

How will you define Pseudohyponatremia?

1. This condition is usually caused by an excess of lipids in the serum. Serum sodium ions are not dissolved in the lipids.
   1. Hyperglycemia
   2. Hyperlipidemia
   3. Hyperproteinemia

Sodium (Na⁺)  level in blood and urine in various conditions:

Define Critical value when the patient needs an immediate intervention?

1. Na⁺ < 120 meq/L. The patient will have weaknesses and neurologic symptoms.
2. Na⁺ > 160 meq/L. This may cause heart failure.

• Too rapid a correction of hyponatremia can lead to central pontine myelin-lysis.
• The too-slow correction will lead to cerebral edema.

Questions and answers:

Note: Please see more details on Serum electrolytes.